Wait for it... Oh you'll see what it is....

Deep is what it is......

Deeper..Noel came with his A game...

I did ok...

Pic of the Day...

All smiles.

Peace in the New Year

I skied the bench last week with my buddy Derrik and the snow was really nice.  The snow was boottop all the all the way down so we made yo-yoed it 6 times which is my personal best for laps. There was one big difference this time, my heel was looked down.  Observations:  AT boots a really uncomfortable to walk in without a bello, my knees felt a lot better at the end of the day, the faster the more fun, much more powerful stance, I liked it but would have perfered teleing.   Here are a couple of pics….   I did have my camera on the shutter setting and didn’t pay attention so the pics are a little blury.. Pics of me are from Derrik.

Derrik on the way up...

Clip that tree..

We ran into Dallas and his crew.  I got a couple of pics and this made me wish I was teleing….

In the FACE...

There were quite a few follies during the day mostly on my part such as falling in the skin track, putting my skins on at the bottom of the run only to take them off again, and telling D to go left (to cross the creek) when I meant right.  Oh well work out the kinks early.

Going the way I told him to.

In the creek..

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=16010790&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=1&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1&autoplay=0&loop=0“

Church Park fire seen across Linke Ranch in Granby at sunset Sunday, Oct. 3. Weather forecasts call for calm winds and a slight chance of thunderstorms over next few days. (Credit: Reid Armstrong)

This was going to be a trip worthy of a trip report.  The plan was to start in Fraser, get over Berthoud Pass, take the frontage to Idaho Springs, hang a right on 103 and summit Mt. Evans, then turn it around back to Fraser.  While climbing Berthoud the first time, I quickly learned that the legs didn’t have it in them to conquer Evans and today was not worthy of a trip report.

Rolling back to US 40 from Idaho Springs, I noticed what seemed an odd weather pattern.  I heard a front would be moving in soon.  Looking towards Summit County, it was clear and sunny.  But there was a weird overcast looking up to Empire.  Oh, if it were only that simple; I had arm and knee warmers, a rain jacket, extra vest, and a skull cap to stay warm.  I got into Empire and smelled it was much worse – it was either a really big BBQ or a wild fire.  Then I felt and saw ash falling.  The first people I saw claimed Fraser and Winter Park were on fire and the pass was closed.    It seemed that there was enough smoke to justify that thought.  Great – I’m stuck in Empire overnight with nothing but cycling clothes, my home is gone, and I need to re-evaluate my life.  At this point, I’d like to thank my new friends at 1860 Tavern in Empire.  The bar tender called the county sheriff to find that the pass was still open … for now.  Then I was saved by Vance who offered to drive me up the pass.  We got to the top to see smoke was more localized than it had seemed.  I hopped out and dropped Berthoud faster than ever before.  Air was clearer at the bottom and my time trial home continued at maximal velocity.  The closer I got, the smaller the seeming inferno actually was.  Here are a few pics and links: Sky~Hi Daily News, CBS 4 report (with video).

There are a few things that resurrected this ride’s worth for a T.R.  I saw the hillside that was on fire – it was the Church Park area near County Road 50 where I rode last weekend.  I think I’m clear of suspicion.  The data is still big: 70 miles, 5000 feet of climbing, and 6500 feet of cheek-flapping descent.  Finally, if you come here, be careful!  It’s been nice and warm and clear and the aspen coors are hanging tough but it is dry.  NO FIRES!  Keep your cigarette butts in your car!  I’ve done 2 Adopt-a-Highway clean ups (here and here) lately and have probably picked up 200 butts.

The good news is at of about midnight, the smoke had died down and some stars were visible.  The nice weather has been welcome and the dry trails have enjoyable but we’ll gladly take any precipitation we can get right now: rain, snow, hail, sleet, graupel – bring it on!

Powerbar is hosting an Adopt-a-Highway party at 9 AM Saturday Oct. 2. Location: base of Berthoud Pass (miles 236-238; first 2 switchbacks on Winter Park side).
Bring gloves and clothes (CDOT frowns upon those who only where the orange vest).
We’ll hit Rudi’s for lunch sponsored by Arapaho Chiropractic Center in Fraser by noon.

Do this and I promise perfectly stable hip deep pow all season.